Wheat / Weeds Explanation:

Context:

- Jesus left the crowds and entered the house.

- the disciples take the opportunity to ask about the wheat parable.

Matthew 13:37-43 "...He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear..."

Where does the good seed come from?

- from Jesus.

Where does the bad seed come from?

- from the devil.

When is the harvest?

- the close of the age.

Who does the reaping?

- the angels.

Where do law-breakers and sin-causers end up?

- the fiery furnace.

- a place of weeping and gnashing teeth.

Where do the righteous end up?

- the Father's kingdom.

- a place where righteousness shines like the sun.

The Hidden Treasure:

Matthew 13:44 “...The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field..."

Why is the kingdom like hidden treasure?

- it's extremely valuable.

- it's more often missed than seen.

Why did the man have joy?

- the unseen was now seen, and it was of great value.

Why would someone sell all that they have?

- the man realized the insignificance of what he had compared to what he could obtain.

Mark 10:21-22 "...And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions..."

Why didn't the rich young ruler "buy the field"?

- he didn't recognize its value.

- he could only see the earthly treasure he was accumulating.

What is the treasure?

- Jesus doesn't offer an interpretation.

- some say eternal life, but can you buy it?

- some say the people of God, and Jesus bought them at a great price.